Southport, CT - The recent dredging of the mouth of Southport Harbor will make sailing easier and safer for all mariners to navigate this season but a free, three-part refresher course in safe sailing techniques offered by Community Sailing of Fairfield can also be a helpful aid to many, organizers said.
Community Sailing of Fairfield (CSF), a local group of experienced sailing and kayaking enthusiasts, will be hosting a free, three-part Safe Sailing Seminar series open to the public on Tuesday evenings starting April 22 at 7 pm.
The sailing safety classes are taught as a public service by CSF President Robert Claiborne and Vice President Paul Zwynenburg, both veteran sailors. CSF will hold its Safe Sailing Seminars Tuesday evenings at the Fairfield Recreation Center at 75 Mill Plain Road on April 22, April 29 and May 6 at 7:00 PM. The seminars will conclude by 8:30 PM. No registration is required.
Claiborne noted that thanks to a collaboration by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission in January, the channel entrance to Southport Harbor has been dredged and restored to a 100 feet width at low tide with a nine-foot depth. Before dredging, the channel over time had filled in with sand and measured almost half that width and depth at low tide creating a navigation hazard during low tide periods.
“We’re entering our 29th year of operations providing safe, accessible and affordable access to the Long Island Sound. There are a couple of fun social events too,” said Robert Claiborne, CSF President.
“We are a private, self-supporting, not for profit organization normally involving some 80 households. Members are expected to know how to swim, sail, or paddle a kayak before joining. Sailing members are also required to have a CT Safe Boating Certificate. We operate under the auspices of the Town of Fairfield Department of Recreation. Members all work together to administer the organization and to help safely maintain our two Ideal 18 Sailboats and eight recreational kayaks all kept at Ye Yacht Yard in Southport,” he added.
For more information visit www.communitysailingfairfield.com